Other times, you are able to coast along. The waters are tranquil--perhaps even shallow--and you can lie back and relax.
Right now my "real" job is pushing and pulling at me. The waves are rough, leaving me exhausted most of the time. I have time to--sometimes--work on my writing, but it's only in small spurts. Lacking stamina, I am letting my "longish" project coast along. However, I am doing some mental writing. Small currents are meandering around in my brain. At some point, enough will accumulate to form a swell...
The kayak pictured above belongs to "Doc" Savage. This summer he paddled 340 grueling miles along the Missouri River, from Kansas City to St. Charles. He paddled to raise money. He paddled for puppies. (Half of the money that was pledged went to Love a Golden Rescue. The other half went to a charity in his hometown.)
If you'd like to read about this event, go to MR340. It was beyond tough...
And now--what kind of "tough" things have you tackled lately? Sioux's nosey nature wants to know...
Nothing. I had a great September!
ReplyDeleteShay--That's good to hear. I imagine even if you had a rough patch, it would not hinder your writing. (There have been dark periods of my life where I wrote MORE. Not that that makes it a reason to embrace depression...)
DeleteKayaking is indeed a metaphor for my writing now, too. School year is crazy and the current is pulling me faster and faster. Sometimes, it is rest I need and not more writing. I have discovered that if I slow down adn allow my creativity to flow, I produce better work than if I paddle faster. Great post!
ReplyDeleteLinda--Thanks. I agree. I have to slow down--paddling against the current doesn't help.
DeleteLove the way you described mental writing...this is what a I do a lot and it is hard to explain to others that you write in your mind long before you sit down. When we take long road trips, my mind often rolls along on a highway of its own!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know how teach and write...when I taught, there was often days I could barely think enough to find my way home at night!
Claudia--I imagine that if my neighbors watch me when I get home from a too-long day at work, they probably think I'm drunk. I stagger out of my car, barely able to walk.
DeleteThings were very rough for me from Spring Break until mid-August at my new job. Now I am able to concentrate on other things and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
ReplyDeleteMy latest thing? I didn't feel well on Friday and also yesterday. But, there was this big storm coming in (mainly effecting my family and friends on the other side of the mountains). I had to get things ready just in case we lost power here, and all I wanted to do was lay on the couch. I pushed through and went to the store and got things organized and by the end of the day, I didn't feel sick any longer. We still have power.
Kathy--I'm glad things are going more smoothly. We don't savor those fruits enough...
DeleteMountains. Drool. Color me green with envy...
I can relate to the job issues even though mine isn't nearly as involved as yours. One of the many things I love about your metaphor is that image of the mental writing. The few times I've ever experienced writing diarrhea was when the ideas churned around inside for ages until the floodgates were allowed to open...so I do think that mental churning is worthwhile!
ReplyDeleteTammy--I don't think any "churning" is going on, unless it's butter, which would be great slathered on warm rolls. It's more of a trickle going on in my head...
DeletePS--are you ready? Two words:
ReplyDeleteWalter
White!
Don't tell me. I won't be able to see it until tomorrow. (I have to buy each episode.)
DeleteBut this is what I hope: Walter dies, Jesse lives. The dark haired *itch dies, along with her motley crew, and Skyler and the two kids live.
Yahoo. My wishes came true...
DeleteI've tumbled out of my kayak, and I'm barely keeping my head above water. So many new things to do at school this year. I might as well be a beginning teacher again. It's a good day if I can get my blog posts in before bedtime.
ReplyDeleteVal--I am in complete agreement with you. We could do a duet. What key do you want to do it in?
DeleteMy biggest issue is being responsible for too many things at once, and my priorities change like those river rapids. It's exhausting to keep up with everything (and sometimes I don't).
ReplyDeleteLisa--It truly IS exhausting. (Lots of times I don't...)
DeleteI really can't complain...
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Life becomes so busy its hard to squeeze in everything you want to do.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley